Draft Environmental Assessment

Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project March 2018

Federal Railroad Administration

Appendix A. SHPO Correspondence, January 19, 2017
U.S. Department 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.

of Transportation Washington, D.C. 20590

Federal Railroad

Administration

January 19, 2017

Ms. Julianne Polanco

State Historic Preservation Officer

California State Parks

Office of Historic Preservation

1725 23rd Street, Suite 100

Sacramento, CA 95816

Attn: Natalie Lindquist

Subject: Initiation of Section 106 Consultation, Establishment of the Area of Potential 

Effects, and Identification of Potential Consulting Parties for the

Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project, City of Santa Fe Springs, Los 

Angeles County, California

Dear Ms. Polanco:

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has selected the Los Angeles County 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) to receive funding under the 2016 

Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program for 

construction of the proposed Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project (Project or 

Undertaking). The USDOT’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is administering this 

particular TIGER grant. 

FRA, in coordination with LA Metro and the City of Santa Fe Springs (City), is preparing an

Environmental Assessment for the Project in accordance with the National Environmental Policy 

Act (NEPA) and FRA’s NEPA procedures. FRA is coordinating the NEPA process with 

compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing 

regulations (36 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Part 800) “Protection of Historic Properties” 

(Section 106). This letter is being transmitted to initiate the Section 106 consultation process for 

the Undertaking, as well as to seek concurrence from your office with FRA’s proposed area of 

potential effects (APE) and your input regarding potential consulting parties.

The Project will elevate, on structure, the active intersection of Rosecrans and Marquardt roadways 

with the operating Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad corridor. It is intended to

improve safety, maintain easy access for emergency responders, minimize right-of-way and utility 

impacts, minimize impacts to BNSF facilities and operations, and provide for future high speed 

rail service in California. The Project is located in the City of Santa Fe Springs, Los Angeles 

County (Project Map located in Attachment 2). The Project includes re-aligning Rosecrans 

Avenue to the south and constructing a grade-separated structure over the BNSF tracks. The
Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project 2

southern leg of Marquardt Avenue would be extended under the overcrossing and connected to 

Rosecrans Avenue. The northern leg of Marquardt Avenue would be connected to Stage Road. A 

connector road would also be constructed to connect the northern leg of Marquardt Avenue and 

Stage Road to Rosecrans Avenue. Traffic signals would be installed at the Rosecrans 

Avenue/Marquardt Avenue intersection to the west and east of the overcrossing structure. Other 

improvements include sidewalk construction, street lighting installation, landscape replacement, 

and parking lot reconfiguration.

The Project Team, which consists of FRA, LA Metro, the City, and respective consultants, has 

identified a number of local government agencies, museums, historical societies, and members of 

the public who may be interested in the effects of the Undertaking on historic properties. The 

Project Team has compiled a list of potential consulting parties (Attachment 1) to participate in 

the Section 106 process. FRA will soon be contacting these parties by letter to invite them to 

consult. FRA requests that you please review the enclosed list and advise us if you are aware of 

other parties who should be invited to consult in the Section 106 process for this Undertaking.

Originally, this Project was initiated by LA Metro without federal financial assistance, and LA 

Metro has already taken steps toward ensuring the Project complies with the California 

Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); this includes LA Metro hiring environmental and cultural 

resources consultants to begin conducting relevant analyses. Recently, USDOT/FRA awarded

additional funding for the Project through the 2016 TIGER program; subsequently, FRA is now 

serving as the lead federal agency for compliance with NEPA and Section 106. 

Using information prepared by LA Metro’s cultural resources consultants, GPA Consulting, a

proposed APE has been established to include all areas that could potentially be affected either 

directly or indirectly by the Undertaking. This area includes 25 parcels that contain built resources, 

and one vacant parcel. Of these 26 properties, nine include buildings that are greater than 45 years 

of age. The proposed APE also includes a segment of BNSF track and a concrete bridge over 

Coyote Creek. The vertical extent of the proposed APE is approximately 100 feet below grade at 

its lowest points, which are at the locations of the 28 concrete piles that are necessary to support 

the proposed overcrossing structure. The proposed APE also extends 35 feet above grade at the 

tallest points of the proposed overcrossing structure. Attachment 2 depicts the proposed 

Rosecrans/Marquardt APE. By way of this letter and in accordance with 36 CFR 800.4(a)(1), FRA 

requests concurrence from your office that the definition and enclosed map adequately determine 

and document the Rosecrans/Marquardt APE.

FRA looks forward to receiving your response within 30 days of your receipt of this submittal. If 

you have questions or require additional information about the Project, please contact Stephanie 

Perez, FRA Environmental Protection Specialist, at (202) 493-0388 or stephanie.perez@dot.gov. 

Sincerely,

Laura Shick

Federal Preservation Officer

Environmental and Corridor Planning Division

Office of Railroad Policy and Development
Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project 3

Cc: Stephanie Perez, FRA

Lyle Leitelt, FRA

Jeanet Owens, LA Metro

Enclosures:

1. Consulting Parties List

2. Project Location Map & Proposed APE map

ATTACHMENT 1
Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project Section 106 Initiation 4

Rosecrans-Marquardt Grade Separation Interested Parties to be Contacted:

Los Angeles Conservancy

Adrian Scott Fine, Director of Advocacy or Laura Dominguez, Preservation Coordinator 523 W. 

Sixth St., Suite 826,

Los Angeles, CA 90014 (213) 623-2489

afine@laconservancy.org or ldominguez@laconservancy.org

Santa Fe Springs City Library

11700 Telegraph Rd.

Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 

562-868-7738

library@santafesprings.org

Santa Fe Springs Planning and Development Department

Wayne M. Morrell, Director of Planning 

11710 E. Telegraph Road

Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 

(562) 868-0511

WayneMorrell@santafesprings.org

Santa Fe Springs Planning Commission

Michael Madrigal, Chairperson 

City Hall - Council Chambers 

11710 E. Telegraph Road 

Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

Hathaway Ranch and Oil Museum 

11901 East Florence Avenue 

Santa Fe Springs, CA

(562) 777-3444

hathawayranch@gmail.com

Santa Fe Springs Historical Committee

Larry Oblea, Chairperson 

Heritage Park Train Depot 

12100 Mora Drive

Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 

Santa Fe Springs Heritage Park

12100 Mora Drive

Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 (562) 946-6476
Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project Section 106 Initiation 5

ATTACHMENT 2
Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project Section 106 Initiation 6

Draft Environmental Assessment

Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project March 2018

Federal Railroad Administration

Appendix B. FRA Correspondence February 16, 2017
STATE OF CALIFORNIA – THE NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY EDMUND G. BROWN, JR., Governor

OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION

1725 23rd Street, Suite 100

SACRAMENTO, CA 95816-7100

(916) 445-7000 Fax: (916) 445-7053

calshpo@parks.ca.gov

www.ohp.parks.ca.gov

February 16, 2017

VIA EMAIL

In reply refer to: FRA_2017_0123_001

Laura Shick

Federal Preservation Officer

Federal Railroad Administration

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Subject: Initiation of Section 106 Consultation, Establishment of the Area of Potential 

Effects, and Identification of Potential Consulting Parties for the 

Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project, City of Santa Fe Springs, Los 

Angeles County, CA

Dear Ms. Schick:

This letter acknowledges receipt of your letter of January 19, 2017 initiating consultation 

for the above project. You have done this, and are consulting with me, in order to 

comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and implementing 

regulations codified at 36 CFR Part 800.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), in consultation with Los Angeles County 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) and the City of Santa Fe Springs, 

proposes to elevate, on structure, the active intersection of Rosecrans and Marquardt 

roadways with the operating Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad corridor. It is 

intended to improve safety, maintain easy access for emergency responders, minimize 

right-of-way and utility impacts, minimize impacts to BNSF facilities and operations, and

provide for future high speed rail service in California. The project includes re-aligning 

Rosecrans Avenue to the south and constructing a grade-separated structure over the 

BNSF tracks. The southern leg of Marquardt Avenue would be extended under the 

overcrossing and connected to Rosecrans Avenue. The northern leg of Marquardt 

Avenue would be connected to Stage Road. A connector road would also be constructed 

to connect the northern leg of Marquardt Avenue and Stage Road to Rosecrans Avenue. 

Traffic signals would be installed at the Rosecrans Avenue/Marquardt Avenue 

intersection to the west and east of the overcrossing structure. Other improvements 

include sidewalk construction, street light installation, landscape replacement, and 

parking lot reconfiguration.
Ms. Shick FRA_2017_0123_001

February 16, 2017

Page 2 of 2

The FRA has identified a number of local government agencies, museums, historical 

societies, and members of the public who may have an interest in the Undertaking. FRA 

will soon be contacting these parties by letter to invite them to consult. 

The proposed area of potential effect (APE) includes all areas that could potentially be 

affected either directly or indirectly by the Undertaking. This includes 25 parcels that 

contain built resources and one vacant parcel. The vertical extent of the proposed APE is 

approximately 100 feet below grade at its lowest points. The APE also extends 35 feet 

above grade at the tallest points of the proposed overcrossing structure.

Based on my review of the submitted documentation I have the following comments:

1) The APE for the proposed project appears adequate.

2) The FRA’s plan to consult with interested parties appears adequate.

3) The FRA should also initiate Native American consultation pursuant to 36 CFR Part 

800.3(f)(2).

Thank you for considering historic properties during project planning. If you have any 

questions, please contact Natalie Lindquist of my staff at (916) 445-7014 with e-mail at 

natalie.lindquist@parks.ca.gov or Alicia Perez at (916) 445-7020 with e-mail at 

alicia.perez@parks.ca.gov .

Sincerely,

Julianne Polanco

State Historic Preservation Officer

Draft Environmental Assessment

Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project March 2018

Federal Railroad Administration

Appendix C. SHPO Concurrence November 22, 2017
State of California  Natural Resources Agency Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION

OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Julianne Polanco, State Historic Preservation Officer

1725 23rd Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95816-7100

Telephone: (916) 445-7000 FAX: (916) 445-7053

calshpo.ohp@parks.ca.gov www.ohp.parks.ca.gov

Lisa Ann L. Mangat, Director

November 22, 2017

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL

Reply in Reference To: FRA_2017_0123_001

Ms. Laura Shick, Federal Preservation Officer

Environmental & Corridor Planning Division

Office of Railroad Policy and Development

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Subject: Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project City of Santa Fe Springs, Los 

Angeles County

Dear Ms. Shick:

The Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) received supplemental information on October 25, 

2017 in which the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is continuing consultation with the 

State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) regarding the above referenced undertaking in 

compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (54 U.S.C. 

470f), as amended, and its implementing regulations 36 CFR Part 800. FRA is requesting 

consultation with the SHPO on their determination of eligibility pursuant to 36 CFR 800.4(c)(2), 

and with their finding of no historic properties affected pursuant to 36 CFR §800.4(d)(1).

FRA, in coordination with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA 

Metro) and the city of Santa Fe Springs, proposes to elevate, on structure, the active 

intersection of Rosecrans and Marquardt roadways with the operating Burlington Northern 

Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad corridor. FRA has defined and documented the area of potential 

effects (APE) to include all areas that could potentially be affected either directly or indirectly 

by the undertaking. This includes 25 parcels that contain built resources and one vacant 

parcel. The vertical extent of the proposed APE is approximately 100 feet below grade at its 

lowest points. The APE also extends 35 feet above grade at the tallest points of the proposed 

overcrossing structure. 

On August 24, 2017, OHP staff contacted FRA staff via electronic mail requesting that FRA 

submit documentation of their finding of no historic properties affected to the SHPO as set forth 

in 36 CFR §§800.11(d)(2) and 800.11(d)(3). On October 25, 2017, FRA submitted the 

following supplemental information: a map depicting the inaccessible and un-surveyed areas of 

the APE; and an analysis of the potential for encountering subsurface prehistoric 

archaeological resources within the vertical APE. 
Ms. Shick FRA_2017_0123_001

November 22, 2017

Page 2 of 3

Efforts to identify historic properties that may be affected by the undertaking included a records 

search at the South Central Coastal Information Center, archival research, pedestrian survey, 

and Native American consultation. Identification efforts identified the following nine built 

resources within the APE:

APN Address Description Year Built

8059-029-010 13649 Rosecrans 

Ave

Industrial property 

with two one-story 

buildings

Ca. 1970/1976

8059-029-030 13729 Rosecrans 

Ave, Building A

Two-story office 1956

8059-029-031 13729 Rosecrans 

Ave, Building B

One-story industrial 

building

1959

8059-029-029 13733 Rosecrans 

Ave

Two-story 

commercial building

1970

8059-029-007 14051 Marquardt 

Ave

Industrial property 

with office and 

industrial building

1955

88069-005-011 16934 Rosecrans 

Ave

Industrial property 

with one-story office 

building

1964

069-005-010 13949 Stage Road Concrete ready-mix 

structure

1958

8069-005-008 13914 Rosecrans 

Ave

One-story 

commercial building

1958/ca. 2000

8069-005-002 13900 Rosecrans 

Ave

One-story industrial 

building

1961

Identification efforts failed to identify historic-era or prehistoric archaeological resources within 

the APE. 

Native American consultation included contacting the Native American Heritage Commission 

(NAHC) and requesting a record search of their sacred land file which was negative. The 

applicant’s consultant sent letters to the tribal entities identified by the NAHC as having ancestral 

ties to the APE, and followed up with telephone calls. One response was received from the 

Gabrieleño/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians expressing concerns about the 

undertaking’s proximity to village sites and requested Native American monitoring during 

construction activities. To-date, no responses have been received from the additional consulting 

Native American tribes, groups or individuals.

FRA states in their October 25, 2017 email that the potential for encountering subsurface 

prehistoric archaeological resources during construction activities is low based on the negative 

results of the record search, the extensive flooding that periodically occurred in the Los 

Angeles area, and the previous ground disturbing activities that have occurred within the APE. 

However, the applicant LA Metro states that they will honor the Gabrieleño/Tongva San 
Ms. Shick FRA_2017_0123_001

November 22, 2017

Page 3 of 3

Gabriel Band of Mission Indians request for a Native American monitor during ground 

disturbing construction activities. 

Based on FRA’s level of effort, they have made a finding of no historic properties affected for 

this undertaking. After reviewing the information submitted, I offer the following comments:

 I find FRA’s identification efforts to be sufficient for this undertaking per 36 CFR 

§800.4(b); 

 Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.4(c)(2), FRA has determined that the nine built resources listed 

above are ineligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. I concur; and

 Pursuant to 36 CFR §800.4(d)(1), I do not object to the FRA’s finding of no historic 

properties affected. However, it is recommended that an archaeological monitor also be 

present in addition to the Native American monitor during ground disturbing construction 

activities.

Please be advised that under certain circumstances, such as post-review discoveries or a 

change in the undertaking description and APE, FRA may have future responsibilities for this 

undertaking under 36 CFR Part 800. For inquiries about this undertaking, please contact 

Natalie Lindquist of my staff at 916-445-7014 or via email at Natalie.Lindquist@parks.ca.gov or 

Alicia Perez of my staff at 916-445-7020 or Alicia.Perez@parks.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

Julianne Polanco

State Historic Preservation Officer
Draft Environmental Assessment

Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project March 2018

Federal Railroad Administration

Appendix D. CEQA Notice of Exemption

Draft Environmental Assessment

Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project March 2018

Federal Railroad Administration

Appendix E. CPUC Nomination











Draft Environmental Assessment

Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project March 2018

Federal Railroad Administration

Appendix F. CPUC Nomination Approval